Prishtina, 16 October, 2024
As part of the breast cancer awareness month, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in an awareness activity, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
In the premises of the Technical Faculty, in front of the educational workers, Prime Minister Kurti said that today health encompasses not only the physical aspect, but also the mental, emotional, spiritual and intellectual aspect, therefore the overall well-being of a person intertwines all these aspects. It begins with information and knowledge and continues with treatment and healing.
“In the treatment of this disease, our Government has provided unsparing support. Within this month, the new regulation for the prices of health services is expected to enter into force, where mammography will be offered free of charge at any time. This decision will come in the breast cancer awareness month”, said the Prime Minister, adding that this is an indicator of our commitment as the Government to protect the health of our population.
Mentioning the many activities that are organized within this awareness month, Prime Minister Kurti said that mobile mammography offers an opportunity for everyone to be checked. It also moves to the northern part of Mitrovica, in Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq, as well as in other municipalities where static mammography is missing.
“For the first time in public health, breast reconstruction is offered free of charge, a procedure that in the private sector costs from 3000 to 5000 euros. The number of women who have performed this procedure has marked a significant increase in the last four years: in 2021 there were 4 interventions with donated prostheses, in 2022, 12 interventions, again with donated prostheses, in 2023, 51 interventions supported by the Government, meanwhile, as of now, in 2024, 63 interventions supported by the Government.” said the prime minister.
Since awareness campaigns have been a great success, Prime Minister Kurti mentioned the fact that in the last three years, there has been a significant increase in the early detection of this type of cancer, where currently 52% of women are diagnosed at an early stage.
“The overall well-being of our citizens is our objective for which we work non-stop, hard and right. We, as the Government, always have us by your side and by your side, in every possible time and form.” the prime minister finished his speech.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dear Deputy Ministers, Taulant Kelmendi and Arsim Ademi,
The Honorable Mayor of the Municipality of Gjilan, Alban Hyseni,
Honorable deputy of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Fitore Pacolli Dalipi,
Dear Ms. Nafije Latifi, founder of the Non-Governmental Organization, “Jeta Vita”,
Dear Dr. Dafina Ademaj, oncologist,
Dear colleagues from the Government, representatives and heads of state institutions,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Professors and students,
In Albanian, the word ‘health’ is widely used, thanks to the wealth of our native language. In addition to the state of body and mind, this word is also urat. Meanwhile, in the English language, the word ‘health’ (health) derives from the meaning of wholeness, to use here the word that has entered our speech: ‘holistic’.
Therefore, it is no coincidence that in the XXI century the concept of health has been transformed into a truly holistic notion, expanding beyond the definitions of dictionaries and linguists. Today, health encompasses not only the physical aspect, but also the mental, emotional, spiritual and intellectual aspect. The overall well-being of a person intertwines all these aspects, so health care today has become more complex than ever before. It starts with information and knowledge, prevention and continues with treatment and healing.
Thankfully, today we have countless sources of information, access to health and medical advice, and major scientific breakthroughs that undoubtedly save lives. With all this, in the end, we ourselves are responsible for maintaining our health. When it comes to the health of women and girls, increased care is required, with individual, social and institutional actions.
Breast cancer is one of the most undertreated and increasingly treatable aspects of women’s health. Advances in scientific research in the field of health, with a focus on breast cancer, are promising. The World Health Organization reports a 40% drop in mortality in the last 30 years.
In the treatment of this disease, our Government has provided unsparing support. Within this month, the new regulation for the prices of health services is expected to enter into force, where mammography will be offered free of charge at any time. This decision will come in breast cancer awareness month and is indicative of the commitment to protecting the health of our population.
Every year in the month of October, in the “Zahir Pajaziti” Square of the capital, mobile mammography offers opportunities for all citizens to be checked. Further, it also moves to the northern part of Mitrovica, to Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq, as well as to other municipalities where static mammography is missing. Meanwhile, the supply of drugs for the therapy of patients in the treatment of breast cancer is over 90%.
For the first time in public health, breast reconstruction is offered free of charge, a procedure that in the private sector costs from 3000 to 5000 euros. The number of women who have performed this procedure has marked a significant increase in the last four years: in 2021 there were 4 interventions with donated prostheses, in 2022, 12 interventions, again with donated prostheses, in 2023, 51 interventions supported by the Government, meanwhile, as of now, in 2024, 63 interventions supported by the Government.
Breast cancer awareness campaigns have been successful. In the last three years, there has been a significant increase in the early detection of this type of cancer, where currently 52% of women are diagnosed at an early stage, stage I and II, which significantly increases the possibilities for effective treatment. Meanwhile, 48% of cases are diagnosed in stage III and IV, which is a significant improvement compared to previous years.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
The overall well-being of our citizens is our objective for which we work non-stop, hard and right. We, as the Government, are always at your side and by your side, in every possible time and form.
Thank you.
Last modified: October 17, 2024